Beiler, Hans (1761-1842)

Hans Beiler, in local circles known as "Hansley," was the first bishop of the Amish church in Kishacoquillas Valley, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania. He was the third son and fifth child of Christopher Beiler and Barbara Yoder, and was born 1 March 1761, probably near Myerstown, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania. He married Mary Detweiler (12 October 1767-23 May 1820), raised a family of nine children, and was a blacksmith and farmer by trade. He served as bishop of the Mifflin County Amish church from 1806 to his death on 5 July 1842. Large numbers of his descendants lived in Mifflin and Lawrence counties, Pennsylvania. He was buried in the Allensville Mennonite cemetery, Allensville, Pennsylvania.